DAVID Griffin has been appointed new chairman at Taunton Racecourse following in the footsteps of Mike Foden, who held the post for over 30 years.

He said: “It is a real privilege to have taken on the job of chairman at Taunton Racecourse where we are looking to the future. We have got some plans to update the jockeys facilities and to improve the facilities for all users who come to the course."

The new chairman is no stranger locally and joined Taunton based Albert Goodman in 1973 and spent his whole working life with the company and was a managing partner there until he retired six years ago.

“I have got a very keen interest in all sports. I played cricket initially for Ruishton and then when they finished I went to play for Kilve where I played in the same side as Ray Hancock’s son who worked with me.

“I have played a lot of local sport and I’m interested in rugby - in fact over the years I have enjoyed meeting so many interesting people. I also follow Somerset County Cricket Club and Exeter Chiefs.”

The Chairman talked about some of the plans that the board at Taunton racecourse have. “The remit of the board is to try to develop Taunton Racecourse more as a venue to ensure that we can carry on as an independent racecourse. We want to develop the facilities and non racing activities and to keep racing local.

“We want to remain an independent racecourse and team up with a lot of the other small independent courses to negotiate all our media rights and generally look after us.”

The chairman added: “I’m very much looking forward to the challenge of the job and a successful season ahead. We have come through all the challenges of Covid. We have had the vaccination and testing centres here - which all worked out well and we have made some improvements to the course and we are optimistic about the future.”